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Georgetown council rejects proposal to allow backyard chickens
Summary
A resident proposed allowing up to 24 backyard chickens; council members raised concerns about pests, manure and disease and a motion to allow chickens (with rules to be drafted by the ordinance committee) failed 3–5.
At its May 19 meeting, the Georgetown City Council considered a resident's request to permit backyard chickens.
Larry Thompson proposed allowing residents to keep up to 24 chickens. Council discussion focused on potential nuisance and public-health issues: Alder Michelle Brooks suggested permit safeguards such as neighbor signatures, while Alder Nick Krabel raised concerns about pests, manure and disease. Participants also asked who would be responsible if a loose dog killed chickens and discussed the prevalence of feral cats and spay/neuter options.
After debate, a motion to allow chickens (with the ordinance committee to draft specific guidelines and a permit process) failed, recorded in the minutes as losing 3–5. The minutes do not identify which council members voted for or against the motion.
Because the motion did not pass, no ordinance committee assignment or rulemaking on chickens was recorded as occurring as a result of this meeting.
